JP2007312058A - Album-making system, album-making method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an album-making system which determines the layout of an album, without having to send images. <P>SOLUTION: The album-making system for making an album using images presented by an album-ordering person comprises a feature information receiver for receiving feature information of a plurality of images, related to image identification information for identifying the images; a layout unit for laying out the plurality of images in the album, based on the feature information of the plurality of images received by the feature information receiver; a layout information generator for generating the layout information of images to be laid at the layout positions, relating to the positions of the plurality of images laid by the layout unit; and a layout information presenting unit for presenting the layout information generated by the layout information generator, to the album-ordering person. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an album creation system, an album creation method, and a program. In particular, the present invention relates to an album creating system and an album creating method for creating an album using an image provided by an album orderer, and a program for the album creating system.

There has been proposed a method in which an image read at a low resolution is edited by a user and the editing information is recorded, and then an image read at a high resolution is edited based on the editing information and output (for example, see Patent Document 1). ). In addition, a method has been proposed in which a user sends an image and order information to a server online to order creation of a media, and a media preview is transmitted at a low resolution (thumbnail) (see, for example, Patent Document 2). ). Further, when the server acquires feature information from the user, it creates and issues an order form. Then, a method has been proposed in which a user prints a desired image by specifying an image to be inserted into an image frame of a template selected by a mobile phone while referring to the image number described in the order form. (For example, refer to Patent Document 3).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-20030 JP 2004-318221 A JP 2004-48284 A

  However, according to the technique described in Patent Document 1, since it is necessary for the user himself to edit the image, the editing work is troublesome for a user who is not used to editing the image. Also, as the number of images to be edited increases, the burden on the user increases. According to the technique described in Patent Document 2, first, the user transmits all the images to the server. Therefore, when a large number of images are transmitted to the server as in the case of creating an album, depending on the communication speed. Takes a lot of time. In addition, transmission of a large number of images to the server increases communication traffic and communication costs. Further, according to the technique described in Patent Document 3, it is necessary for the user to input all the identification numbers of images to be printed on the mobile phone one by one, which takes a lot of time and effort for the user.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an album creation system, an album creation method, and a program that can solve the above-described problems. This object is achieved by a combination of features described in the independent claims. The dependent claims define further advantageous specific examples of the present invention.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an album creating system for creating an album using images provided by an album orderer. The feature information indicating the image and the image identification information for identifying the image are received in association with each other, and the plurality of images in the album are laid out based on the feature information of the plurality of images received by the feature information receiving unit. A layout unit that performs layout, a layout information generation unit that generates layout information in which each position of a plurality of images laid out by the layout unit is associated with image identification information of an image to be placed at each position, and a layout A layout information providing unit for providing the layout information generated by the information generating unit to the album orderer;

  According to the layout information provided to the album orderer by the layout information providing unit, an album is created by laying out the images identified by the image identification information indicated by the layout information at the positions of the plurality of images indicated by the layout information. An album creation unit may be further provided.

  The layout unit lays out a plurality of images in the album with a plurality of different layouts based on the feature information of the plurality of images received by the feature information receiving unit, and the layout information generation unit performs layout of the plurality of layouts laid out by the layout unit. For each, a plurality of layout information may be generated, and the layout information providing unit may provide the album orderer with the plurality of layout information generated by the layout information generating unit.

  Among the plurality of layout information provided to the album orderer by the layout information providing unit, together with the layout identification information for identifying the layout information selected by the album orderer, the image identified by the image identification information indicated by the layout information An image receiving unit for receiving and an album creating unit for laying out the images received by the image receiving unit and generating an album in accordance with the layout information indicated by the layout identification information received by the image receiving unit may be further provided.

  A template information storage unit that stores a plurality of template information in which each of a plurality of images should be arranged and feature information that should be arranged at the position, and a plurality of templates stored in the template information storage unit A template information selecting unit that selects template information that matches the feature information of the plurality of images received by the feature information receiving unit from the information, and the layout unit is defined by the template information selected by the template information selecting unit A plurality of images in the album may be laid out based on the respective positions of the plurality of images and the feature information to be arranged at the positions.

  Corresponding to the plurality of template information stored in the template information storage unit, each of the plurality of images defined by the respective template information has a feature indicated by the feature information to be arranged at the position. A sample album storage unit for storing a plurality of sample albums in which sample images are arranged, a sample album selection unit for selecting a sample album stored in the sample album storage unit in association with the template information selected by the template selection unit, and a sample A sample album presenting section for allowing the album orderer to select the layout information provided by the layout information providing section by causing the album orderer to browse the sample album selected by the album selecting section and causing the album orderer to select the sample album. Order an album from the department An album creating unit that creates an album by laying out the image identified by the image identification information indicated by the layout information at each position of the plurality of images indicated by the layout information in accordance with the layout information selected by It's okay.

  The album orderer terminal extracts feature information from the image provided by the album orderer, and the feature information receiving unit receives the feature information extracted by the album orderer terminal from the album orderer terminal via the communication line. It's okay.

  The feature information receiving unit may receive feature information read from a medium in which feature information is recorded in association with an image.

  The album orderer terminal reads the feature information from the media in which the feature information is recorded in association with the image, and the feature information receiving unit reads the feature information read by the album orderer terminal via the communication line. You may receive from.

  The feature information receiving unit receives, for each of the plurality of images, the feature information indicating the feature color included in the image and image identification information for identifying the image in association with each other, and the layout unit receives the feature information. A plurality of images in the album may be laid out based on the feature colors included in the images.

  The feature information receiving unit receives, for each of the plurality of images, the feature information indicating the face direction of the person included in the image and image identification information for identifying the image in association with each other, and the layout unit receives the feature information A plurality of images in the album may be laid out based on the orientation of the face of the person included in the images received by the section.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an album creating method for creating an album using images provided by an album orderer, wherein for each of a plurality of images, feature information indicating image characteristics, and A feature information receiving stage for receiving image identification information to be associated with each other; a layout stage for laying out a plurality of images in the album based on the feature information of the plurality of images received in the feature information receiving stage; and a layout stage Generated in the layout information generation stage, the layout information generation stage for generating layout information in which each position of the plurality of images laid out in FIG. 5 is associated with the image identification information of the image to be arranged at each position. Layout information providing stage for providing the layout information to the album orderer.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for an album creating system for creating an album using an image provided by an album orderer, wherein the album creating system includes a feature of an image for each of a plurality of images. The feature information indicating the image and the image identification information for identifying the image are received in association with each other, and the plurality of images in the album are laid out based on the feature information of the plurality of images received by the feature information receiving unit. Layout unit, layout information generating unit for generating layout information in which each position of a plurality of images laid out by the layout unit is associated with image identification information of an image to be arranged at each position, layout information generating unit Function as a layout information provider that provides album information to album orderers

  The above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention, and sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be the invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the amount of communication required for transmitting and receiving images for the purpose of creating an album.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the scope of claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are included. It is not necessarily essential for the solution of the invention.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of a usage environment of an album creating system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The album creation system 100 includes an album creation device 110 and an album orderer terminal 120. The album creating system 100 provides the album orderer 190 with an album having an appropriate layout according to the characteristics of the image captured by the album orderer 190 using the imaging device 130.

  Specifically, the album orderer terminal 120 provided at a store 170 such as a photoshop or a convenience store or the home 171 of the album orderer 190, and the like, an image taken by the album orderer 190 using the imaging device 130, The feature information of the image is read out from the medium 160 in which the feature information such as the color of the image recorded along with the image and the orientation of the human face in the image is stored. Note that the album orderer terminal 120 may also read out image capturing conditions such as white balance and operation mode that are recorded along with the image when the image capturing apparatus 130 captures the image, as image feature information.

  Then, the album orderer terminal 120 transmits the read feature information to the album creating apparatus 110 provided in the album creating company 172 or the like via the communication line 150. Then, the album creating apparatus 110 arranges images having characteristic colors similar in color tone on the same page from the feature information received from the album orderer terminal 120, or arranges images so that the faces of people face each other. By doing so, a plurality of album layout candidates suitable for the feature information are determined. Then, the album creating apparatus 110 transmits a plurality of layout candidates to the album orderer terminal 120.

  The album orderer terminal 120 displays the layout candidates received from the album creating apparatus 110 on a display unit such as a display, and causes the album orderer 190 to select a layout to be used for the album from the displayed layout candidates. Then, the album orderer terminal 120 transmits an image used in the layout to the album orderer 190 together with the layout selected by the album orderer 190. Then, the album creating apparatus 110 arranges the received images according to the received layout, outputs the album 140 by the output apparatus 180, and provides the output album 140 to the album orderer 190.

  The album orderer terminal 120 may be an information terminal such as a kiosk terminal or a personal computer. The album orderer terminal 120 may be a portable information terminal such as a mobile phone or a PDA. Note that the album creating apparatus 110 may be a personal computer provided in the store 170 or the home 171.

  Note that the album orderer terminal 120 may arrange an image recorded on the medium in accordance with the layout selected by the album orderer 190 and output it as an album 140 from the output device 180. Also, the album orderer terminal 120 may read the feature information from the medium on which the album orderer terminal 120 itself has recorded the feature information and transmit it to the album creating apparatus 110. Further, the album orderer terminal 120 may extract feature information from the image provided from the album orderer 190 and transmit it to the album creating apparatus 110.

  Needless to say, the album orderer 190 may be a person different from the person who captured the image. For example, the album orderer 190 may be an orderer who orders an album from a print shop or the like upon receiving an album creation request from a photographer, such as a store clerk at the store 170 or the like, an album designer, or the like.

  According to the album creating system 100 described above, an album with an appropriate layout can be provided to the album orderer 190 according to the characteristics of the image provided from the album orderer 190. At this time, the album orderer terminal 120 can obtain album layout candidates by transmitting only image information to the album creating apparatus 110. For this reason, the album orderer terminal 120 does not need to transmit all the images to the album creating apparatus 110, so that it is possible to reduce the communication cost when transmitting the images to the album creating apparatus 110.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a block configuration of the album creating system 100. The album creation system 100 creates an album using images provided from the album orderer 190. The album creation system 100 includes an album creation device 110 and an album orderer terminal 120. The album creating apparatus 110 includes a feature information receiving unit 200, a template information storage unit 210, a template information selection unit 215, a sample album storage unit 220, a sample album selection unit 225, a layout unit 230, a layout information generation unit 232, and a layout information provision unit. 234, a sample album presenting unit 240, an image receiving unit 250, and an album creating unit 260. The album orderer terminal 120 includes an album creation unit 270, a reception unit 280, a display unit 282, an instruction input unit 284, and an image storage unit 290.

  The album orderer terminal 120 reads the feature information from the medium 160 in which the feature information is recorded in association with the image. Then, the image storage unit 290 stores the feature information read from the medium 160 in association with the image. The feature information receiving unit 200 receives the feature information read by the album orderer terminal 120 from the medium 160 and stored in the image storage unit 290 from the album orderer terminal 120 via the communication line 150. Note that the feature information receiving unit 200 may directly read the feature information associated with the image from the medium 160.

  The album orderer terminal 120 reads a file including the feature information from the medium 160 in which the image and the feature information are recorded as separate files, and transmits the feature information read from the file or the read file itself to the album creating apparatus 110. May be. The album orderer terminal 120 may read the feature information of each of the plurality of images from the medium 160 in which the feature information of each of the plurality of images is recorded in one file. Thereby, the album orderer terminal 120 can read out the feature information at a higher speed than the case of reading out the feature information attached to each of the plurality of image files, for example, from the image file. Further, the album orderer terminal 120 may record the image and the feature information on the medium 160 as separate files. Further, when the album orderer terminal 120 records a plurality of images and feature information on the medium 160 as separate files, the album orderer terminal 120 may record the feature information of each of the plurality of images on the medium 160 as a single file.

  Note that the album orderer terminal 120 may extract feature information from the image provided by the album orderer 190 and store it in the image storage unit 290. Then, the feature information receiving unit 200 may receive the feature information extracted by the album orderer terminal 120 from the album orderer terminal 120 via the communication line 150. Further, the album orderer terminal 120 may extract feature information from an image recorded on the medium 160, and record the extracted feature information on the medium 160 in association with the image. Thereby, for example, the album orderer 190 can record the feature information on the medium 160 at the album orderer terminal 120 and order the album from the personal computer at the home of the album orderer 190.

  As described above, the feature information receiving unit 200 receives, for each of the plurality of images, the feature information indicating the feature of the image and the image identification information for identifying the image in association with each other. Then, based on the feature information of the plurality of images received by the feature information receiving unit 200, the layout unit 230 lays out the plurality of images in the album.

  The feature information may be a feature color that is a characteristic color included in the image, and may be a direction component of the image indicating the orientation of the face of the person and the orientation of the subject included in the image. In addition to the feature information related to the image content, the feature information includes image capturing conditions such as the image resolution, the focusing distance, and the image capturing mode when the image capturing apparatus 130 captures an image. For example, the feature information receiving unit 200 receives, for each of a plurality of images, feature information indicating a feature color included in the image and image identification information for identifying the image in association with each other. In addition, the feature information receiving unit 200 receives, for each of the plurality of images, the feature information indicating the orientation of the face of the person included in the image and the image identification information for identifying the image in association with each other. Then, the layout unit 230 lays out a plurality of images in the album based on the feature colors included in the images received by the feature information receiving unit 200. The layout unit 230 lays out a plurality of images in the album based on the face orientation of the person included in the image received by the feature information receiving unit 200. For example, the layout unit 230 determines the arrangement of the images so that the feature colors of the plurality of images are harmonized in the album. In addition, the layout unit 230 determines the arrangement of the images so that the faces of the human faces of the images included in the plurality of images are aligned.

  Then, the layout information generation unit 232 generates layout information in which each position of the plurality of images laid out by the layout unit 230 is associated with image identification information of an image to be arranged at each position. The layout information providing unit 234 provides the layout information generated by the layout information generating unit 232 to the album orderer 190.

  The receiving unit 280 receives the layout information provided by the layout information providing unit 234 and causes the display unit 282 to display the layout information. In this way, the album orderer 190 can receive album layout candidates from the album creating apparatus 110 by transmitting image feature information. For this reason, according to the album creating system 100, it is possible to receive album layout candidates that match the feature information without transmitting the image itself to the album creating apparatus 110. Further, in the album creating system 100, it is not necessary to send an image itself including private information such as a captured image to the album creating apparatus 110, so that the album orderer 190 can easily order the creation of the album layout.

  The album creating unit 260 is identified by the image identification information indicated by the layout information at each position of the plurality of images indicated by the layout information in accordance with the layout information provided by the layout information providing unit 234 to the album orderer 190. Lay out images to create an album. Then, the album creating unit 260 transmits the created album to the output device 180. The album output by the output device 180 is provided to the album orderer 190. The album creating unit 270 provided in the album orderer terminal 120 creates an album by laying out the image indicated by the image identification information stored in the image storage unit 290 according to the layout information provided from the layout information providing unit 234. May be. Then, the album orderer terminal 120 may output the album created by the album creating unit 260 to the output device 180.

  The layout unit 230 may lay out a plurality of images in the album with a plurality of different layouts based on the feature information of the plurality of images received by the feature information receiving unit 200. The layout information generation unit 232 may generate a plurality of layout information for each of the plurality of layouts laid out by the layout unit 230. The layout information providing unit 234 may provide the album orderer 190 with a plurality of layout information generated by the layout information generating unit 232. Therefore, the album creating system 100 can provide the album orderer 190 with a plurality of layout candidates suitable for the image information.

  The album creating unit 260 stores each piece of layout information generated by the layout information generating unit 232 in association with layout identification information for identifying layout information. Then, the layout information providing unit 234 provides layout identification information to the album orderer 190 in association with the layout information. Then, the instruction input unit 284 receives an instruction from the album orderer 190 for specifying the layout information for creating the album, and the album orderer terminal 120 is designated together with the layout identification information for identifying the designated layout information. The image stored in the image storage unit 290 in association with the image identification information indicated by the layout information is transmitted to the image receiving unit 250.

  Then, the image receiving unit 250 uses the layout information together with the layout identification information for identifying the layout information selected by the album orderer 190 among the plurality of layout information provided by the layout information providing unit 234 to the album orderer 190. An image identified by the displayed image identification information is received. Then, the album creating unit 260 generates an album by laying out the images received by the image receiving unit 250 according to the layout information identified by the layout identification information received by the image receiving unit 250.

  The template information storage unit 210 stores a plurality of template information in which a position where each of a plurality of images is to be arranged and feature information to be arranged at the position is predetermined. For example, the template information storage unit 210 stores a plurality of template information that defines the position and size of an arrangement frame in which each of a plurality of images in an album is to be arranged, and a background image that is the background of the image. Then, the template information selecting unit 215 selects template information that matches the feature information of the plurality of images received by the feature information receiving unit 200 from the plurality of template information stored in the template information storage unit 210. Then, the layout unit 230 lays out the plurality of images in the album based on the positions of the plurality of images determined by the template information selected by the template information selection unit 215 and the feature information to be arranged at the positions. .

  The sample album storage unit 220 should be placed at each position of a plurality of images defined by each template information in association with the plurality of template information stored in the template information storage unit 210. A plurality of sample albums in which sample images having features indicated by the feature information are arranged are stored. Then, the sample album selection unit 225 selects a sample album stored in the sample album storage unit 220 in association with the template information selected by the template information selection unit 215. The sample album presenting unit 240 causes the album orderer 190 to browse the sample album selected by the sample album selecting unit 225 and cause the album orderer 190 to select the layout information generated by the layout information generating unit 232.

  Specifically, the sample album presenting unit 240 transmits the sample album selected by the sample album selecting unit 225 to the album orderer terminal 120 in association with the layout information generated by the layout information generating unit 232. The display unit 282 displays the sample album received by the receiving unit 280 from the sample album presenting unit 240, and the instruction input unit 284 receives a sample album selection instruction from the album orderer 190. Then, the album orderer terminal 120 transmits the layout identification information for identifying the layout information received in association with the sample album selected by the album orderer 190 and the image indicated by the layout information to the album creating apparatus 110. To do. For this reason, the album orderer 190 can order an album after confirming in advance what kind of album is to be created by confirming the sample album.

  As described above, according to the album creating system 100, the album creating apparatus 110 receives not the image data itself used to create the album but the image feature information and generates the album layout. The amount of data to be transmitted can be reduced as compared with the case of transmitting to the album creating apparatus 110. In addition, the album creating apparatus 110 generates a layout suitable for image information such as a layout in which the color tone of each page is matched and a layout in which the direction of the subject is aligned. Can be provided to the album orderer 190.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of feature information stored in the template information storage unit 210. The template information storage unit 210 stores, for each position where an image is placed, a combination of feature information of the image to be placed at the position. Specifically, the template information storage unit 210 stores combinations of the type of subject, the number of subjects, the direction component of the image, the feature color of the image, and the like as a combination of feature information related to the image content. In addition, the template information storage unit 210 stores combinations such as an imaging mode, white balance, and in-focus distance as combinations of feature information related to imaging conditions. The imaging mode may be an operation mode of the imaging device 130 such as a distant view mode, a foreground mode, a portrait mode, and a night view mode.

  Specifically, the template information storage unit 210 stores, as feature information, the type of subject indicating that the image is a captured image of a predetermined type of subject. For example, the template information storage unit 210 may store information indicating a landscape, a person, a building, and the like as feature information indicating the type of subject. The template information storage unit 210 may store the number of subjects indicating the number of subjects indicated by the type of subject as feature information. Note that the subject here may be a main subject which is a subject imaged so as to give an impression to the viewer in the image. For example, a larger and more central subject in the image may be the main subject, and a subject including a higher spatial frequency component may be the main subject.

  The template information storage unit 210 may store a direction component indicating that the image has a predetermined direction component as feature information. The direction component may be information indicating the direction of an object such as a person, or may be information indicating the direction toward the vanishing point of the object included in the image, for example. Further, the template information storage unit 210 may store the color component of the characteristic color indicating the characteristic color included in the image as the characteristic information.

  The template information storage unit 210 stores the combination of the feature information described above in association with the feature information group ID for identifying the feature information. For example, the feature information group ID # 301 indicates an image in which one person is captured as a subject. Further, the feature information group ID # 302 is a range in which the tone values at the center of the color components (R, G, B) are (120, 135, 110) and differ from each other by the tone value 20 from the tone value at the center. A color region having the tone value of is stored as a characteristic color.

  Note that the image storage unit 290 stores a combination of feature information similar to the feature information shown in FIG. For example, the image storage unit 290 includes, for each of a plurality of images, the type of subject, which is feature information related to the image content, the number of subjects, the direction component of the image, the feature color of the image, etc. The mode, white balance, focus distance, etc. may be stored. In addition, the image storage unit 290 may store information on the imaging time and imaging position at which the image was captured in association with the image.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of image arrangement information stored in the template information storage unit 210. The template information storage unit 210 stores an album layout ID for identifying an album layout and a combination of a plurality of template information that can constitute an album for each of a plurality of albums that have a sense of unity in design. For example, the template information storage unit 210 includes template information in which an arrangement frame in which an image is arranged on one page of an album and a feature information group ID indicating a combination of feature information of images arranged in the respective arrangement frames are associated with each other. Is stored for each album layout. Note that one page of the album may be a spread page of the album, and may mean each of a plurality of pages constituting the spread page.

  In the example of this figure, it is defined that an image having a combination of feature information indicated by the feature information group ID # 301 is placed in a placement frame 461 that defines a region where the image is placed. In each of the arrangement frames, arrangement information indicating the position, size, shape, orientation, and order of the images arranged in the arrangement frame is defined. For example, the arrangement frame 465 defines that the image indicated by the feature information # 301 indicating an image including a person should be trimmed and arranged in the shape of a person. The arrangement frame 466 defines that an image trimmed around the subject of the animal in the feature information # 303 from the image shown in the feature information # 303 indicating the image including the animal should be arranged. . Further, it is defined in the arrangement frames 467, 468 and the like that the image should be arranged in an inclined manner. In addition, the arrangement frame 468 defines that an image should be arranged in front of the arrangement frame 469.

  As described above, the template information storage unit 210 stores the template information in which the combination of the feature information described in relation to FIG. 3 is associated with each of the arrangement information described in the drawing. Then, the template information selection unit 215 matches the feature information indicated by the feature information of the image received by the feature information reception unit 200 from the arrangement information included in the template information stored in the template information storage unit 210. Specify the layout frame where is defined. Then, the template information selection unit 215 selects template information in which an image that matches all the arrangement frames included in the template information is selected.

  Then, the layout unit 230 specifies an album layout that matches the image provided by the album orderer 190 from the template information selected by the template information selection unit 215. For example, the layout unit 230 provides an album layout ID from the album orderer 190 in which the template information selection unit 215 selects the most template information among the template information stored in association with each album layout ID. It is specified as an album layout ID indicating an album layout that matches the selected image. The layout unit 230 assigns the album layout ID that has the largest ratio of the number of template information selected by the template information selection unit 215 to the number of template information stored in association with the album layout ID. It may be specified as an album layout ID indicating an album layout that matches the image provided from 190. Thereby, the album creating system 100 can provide the album orderer 190 with an album layout having a design that matches the image provided by the album orderer 190.

  Then, the layout unit 230 selects an image to be arranged in each of the template information selected by the template information selection unit 215 in association with the identified album. At this time, the layout unit 230, in the case where a plurality of images match the feature information defined in one arrangement frame, the difference in imaging time with respect to other images arranged on the same page, or the imaging position Images to be arranged in the arrangement frame may be selected so that images having a small distance difference are arranged on the same page.

  Then, the layout information generation unit 232 generates layout information that is data in which image identification information for identifying an image to be arranged in the arrangement frame determined by the layout unit 230 is associated with the arrangement frame. The layout information generation unit 232 records the generated layout information together with the layout identification information for identifying the layout information.

  Then, the layout information providing unit 234 associates the layout information generated by the layout information generating unit 232 with the layout identification information for identifying the layout information, and transmits it to the album orderer terminal 120. In the album orderer terminal 120, the receiving unit 280 receives the layout information transmitted from the layout information providing unit 234, displays the layout information on the display unit 282, and presents the layout information to the album orderer 190. For example, the display unit 282 causes the album orderer 190 to visually recognize the album layout by arranging and displaying the image indicated by the image identification information included in the layout information in the arrangement frame indicated by the layout information.

  Note that the sample album storage unit 220 stores a sample album in association with the album layout ID. Then, the sample album selection unit 225 selects a sampleable album stored in the sample album storage unit 220 in association with each of the plurality of album layout IDs selected by the layout unit 230 by the template information selection unit 215. Then, the sample album presenting unit 240 transmits the plurality of sample albums selected by the sample album selecting unit 225 to the album orderer terminal 120. Then, the receiving unit 280 causes the display unit 282 to display the sample album presented from the sample album presenting unit 240. Thereby, the album orderer 190 can confirm what kind of atmosphere the album is created on the display unit 282.

  Then, the album orderer terminal 120 causes the album orderer 190 to select a layout to be used for the album from the layout displayed on the display unit 282 or the sample album. At this time, the instruction input unit 284 accepts such a layout or sample album selection operation. Then, the album orderer terminal 120 transmits layout identification information for identifying layout information indicating the selected album layout and an image used in the selected layout information from the image storage unit 290 to the album creating apparatus 110. To do. The image and layout identification information transmitted from the album orderer terminal 120 are received by the image receiving unit 250. Then, the album creating unit 260 extracts the layout information identified by the layout identification information received by the feature information receiving unit 200 from the layout information generating unit 232. Then, the album creating unit 260 creates an album by arranging the images received by the feature information receiving unit 200 according to the extracted layout information.

  As described above, the album creating system 100 can provide the album orderer 190 with an album having a design that matches the image characteristics by transmitting the image feature information to the album creating apparatus 110. Further, even if the album orderer terminal 120 does not have the album creation capability, the album orderer 190 can be informed of what album is created as long as it has the display capability of displaying the sample album. can do. Further, since it is not necessary to transmit all images to the album creating apparatus 110, it is only necessary to transmit images to be used for the album, so that communication costs can be reduced compared to the case where all images are transmitted to the album creating apparatus 110.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a method for determining the image arrangement according to the direction component of the image. As an example of the direction component, the album orderer terminal 120 extracts the direction of a person or an animal. For example, the album orderer terminal 120 specifies the orientation of the person's head image included in the image as the direction component. For example, the album orderer terminal 120 can specify which direction the person is facing from the positional relationship of the nose, eyes, mouth, etc. included in the extracted person's head. In addition, the album orderer terminal 120 may specify the direction in which the person is facing from the shape of the hair region included in the extracted head. In addition, the album orderer terminal 120 identifies the direction in which the person is facing (gaze direction) from the deviation of the eye position extracted from the head image, and extracts the identified direction as a direction component. It's okay.

  The album orderer terminal 120 may specify the orientation of the person from the area ratio of the right arm and the left arm in the image. For example, comparing the area occupied by the right arm and the area occupied by the left arm, if the area of the left arm is large, it can be determined that the person is facing the left side. Similarly, the direction of an animal or the like similar to the shape of a person can be specified from the area ratio of the left and right arms. Further, a line connecting the center position connecting the left and right arms and the position of the head is determined as the body axis, the direction is perpendicular to the determined body axis, and the direction specified from the area ratio of the left and right arms May be specified as the orientation of a person or the like. Thereby, a more accurate orientation of a person or the like can be specified. Then, the image storage unit 290 stores an image in association with the feature information including the specified direction component.

  Then, the template information selection unit 215 has an arrangement frame having, as the feature information, a direction substantially the same as the direction component included in the feature information received by the feature information reception unit 200 from the arrangement frames stored in the template information storage unit 210. Select. In the example of this figure, it is determined that an image having the upper left direction component is arranged in the arrangement frame 550, and that an image having the lower right direction component is arranged in the arrangement frame 560. In this case, an image including the person 510 facing the upper left is arranged in the arrangement frame 550, and an image containing the animal 520 facing the lower right is arranged in the arrangement frame 560. As a result, a page having a layout in which the person 510 and the animal 520 face each other can be created.

  Note that the layout unit 230 determines the layout frame by rotating the layout frame within a predetermined angle range when the direction component defined in the layout frame and the direction component of the image do not completely match. The direction component of the image and the direction component of the image may be matched. In addition, the layout unit 230 crops and trims an image so that the direction components defined in the arrangement frame are substantially the same when arranged in the arrangement frame without rotating the angle of the arrangement frame. An image may be arranged in the arrangement frame.

  As described above, according to the album creating system 100, it is possible to provide the album orderer 190 with an album having a layout that does not give the viewer a sense of incongruity, such as a layout in which the directional components of the images are aligned. In addition to the case where the direction component defined in the layout frame is determined in relation to the direction component in the other layout frame, for example, the direction component of the background pattern that is the background of the page (from the upper left in the example of this figure) A direction component indicating the same direction as the background pattern toward the lower right) may be defined as the feature information of the image arranged in the arrangement frame. Thereby, the album creating system 100 can create a page of image content that matches the background pattern of the template.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of extracting feature colors from an image. The image storage unit 290 reads the gradations of the R, G, and B color components from the pixel data for each pixel, and counts the number of pixels that belong to a specific gradation value for each of the R, G, and B color components. Generate a distribution. Then, the image storage unit 290 determines the characteristic color of the image from the generated frequency distribution, and stores the characteristic color in association with the image. Here, as a method of determining the characteristic color from the frequency distribution for each color component, for example, an average value in the frequency distribution, a median value in the frequency distribution, a gradation value indicating the maximum value in the frequency distribution, A characteristic gradation value is determined, and a color having the gradation value for each determined color component as a color component is calculated as a characteristic color. In the example of this figure, the average value (R = 128, G = 136, B = 115) of the gradation values in the distribution is calculated, and the color components (R, G, B) = (128, 136, 115). Are calculated as characteristic colors.

  Then, the template information selection unit 215 determines that an image having a color within the range of the characteristic color defined in the arrangement frame as the characteristic color can be arranged in the arrangement frame. For example, in the template information selection unit 215, the feature information group ID # 302 is determined for the image in which the feature color (R, G, B) = (128, 136, 115) is calculated as in the example of this figure. It is determined that it can be placed in the placement frame.

  For this reason, the color tone of each page of the album to be created can be adjusted by determining a harmonious color as the characteristic color in the arrangement frame in each page. In addition, it is possible to adjust the color tone of each page including the background by defining the color that is in harmony with the color included in the background image that is the background of each page as the characteristic color in the layout frame in each page. it can. Therefore, according to the album creating system 100, for example, a page having a dark color tone such as a night view is not arranged on a page including a light-colored background image that is an image of a sandy beach. As described above, the album creating system 100 can provide the album orderer 190 with an album having a uniform color tone.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of extracting feature colors from an image. In this extraction example, the album orderer terminal 120 uses each color for each of a plurality of color areas (color area A, color area B, color area C,...) Obtained by dividing the color space into a plurality of areas. A frequency distribution of the number of pixels with respect to the appearance frequency at which colors included in the region appear in the image is calculated. The appearance frequency may be, for example, a value obtained by dividing the area occupied by the color of each color region in the image by the total area of the image. In addition, the album orderer terminal 120 stores in advance an average appearance frequency indicating the frequency at which the color included in each color region is expected to appear in the image, as indicated by the frequency distribution in the figure. . For example, in the example of this figure, the album orderer terminal 120 stores 1%, 0.8%, and 0.2% as the average appearance frequencies for the color area A, the color area B, and the color area C, respectively. ing. These average appearance frequencies may be determined in advance, or may be calculated for each color region as an average value of appearance frequencies in a plurality of images provided from the album orderer 190.

  Then, in each of the images provided from the album orderer 190, for example, when the appearance frequencies of the colors of the color area A, the color area B, and the color area C are all calculated to be the same 1.2%, the image storage unit 290 The characteristic color is determined based on the ratio of the appearance frequency to the average appearance frequency (color region A: 1.2, color region B: 1.5, color region C: 6). In this example, the image storage unit 290 determines a color included in the color region C, which is a color having a higher appearance frequency ratio with respect to the average appearance frequency, as a characteristic color in the image, and corresponds to the image of the determined color region. And store.

  Note that the album orderer terminal 120 may store the frequency distribution itself in which the color included in each color region is expected to appear in the image as the average appearance frequency. Then, the image storage unit 290 calculates the average value of the appearance frequency from the appearance frequency of the color included in each color area in the image provided from the album orderer 190 and the frequency distribution for each color area indicated by the average appearance frequency. The deviation value may be calculated for each color region, and the color included in the color region having the larger deviation value may be extracted and stored as the characteristic color.

  As described above, the image storage unit 290 determines the characteristic color using the appearance frequency in the image provided from the album orderer 190 as an index with respect to the average appearance frequency for each color region. Various colors can be extracted from the image. For example, when determining the feature color in an image obtained by capturing an umbrella image of a beach sand beach, even if light colors such as sky, sea, and beach occupy most of the area of the image, for example, the umbrella has a dark purple color. If it is included, it can be extracted from the image as a characteristic color that is rarely included in the natural world. Further, in the feature color extraction method in this figure, feature colors are extracted for each color region, not for each color component, so that a color region including a color actually included in the image can be extracted. For this reason, for example, the color of the object that is a point in the background image can be matched with the characteristic color of the image, and the image appears in harmony with the background image for the viewer.

  Although the case where the album orderer terminal 120 extracts the directional component and the characteristic color of the image and stores them in the image storage unit 290 has been described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, the color, the directional component, etc. Needless to say, may be recorded in advance on the medium 160.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of a hardware configuration of the album creating apparatus 110 or the album orderer terminal 120 according to the present embodiment. The album creating apparatus 110 or the album orderer terminal 120 includes a CPU peripheral unit having a CPU 1505, a RAM 1520, a graphic controller 1575, and a display device 1580 connected to each other by a host controller 1582, and a host controller by an input / output controller 1584. An input / output unit having a communication interface 1530, a hard disk drive 1540, and a CD-ROM drive 1560 connected to 1582, and a legacy having an ROM 1510, a flexible disk drive 1550, and an input / output chip 1570 connected to an input / output controller 1584 And an input / output unit.

  The host controller 1582 connects the RAM 1520, the CPU 1505 that accesses the RAM 1520 at a high transfer rate, and the graphic controller 1575. The CPU 1505 operates based on programs stored in the ROM 1510 and the RAM 1520 and controls each unit. The graphic controller 1575 acquires image data generated by the CPU 1505 and the like on a frame buffer provided in the RAM 1520 and displays the image data on the display device 1580. Alternatively, the graphic controller 1575 may include a frame buffer that stores image data generated by the CPU 1505 or the like.

  The input / output controller 1584 connects the host controller 1582 to the hard disk drive 1540, the communication interface 1530, and the CD-ROM drive 1560, which are relatively high-speed input / output devices. The hard disk drive 1540 stores programs and data used by the CPU 1505. The communication interface 1530 is connected to the network communication device 1598 to transmit / receive programs or data. The CD-ROM drive 1560 reads a program or data from the CD-ROM 1595 and provides it to the hard disk drive 1540 and the communication interface 1530 via the RAM 1520.

  The input / output controller 1584 is connected to the ROM 1510, the flexible disk drive 1550, and the relatively low-speed input / output device of the input / output chip 1570. The ROM 1510 stores a boot program executed when the album creating apparatus 110 or the album orderer terminal 120 is started, a program depending on the hardware of the album creating apparatus 110 or the album orderer terminal 120, and the like. The flexible disk drive 1550 reads a program or data from the flexible disk 1590 and provides it to the hard disk drive 1540 and the communication interface 1530 via the RAM 1520. The input / output chip 1570 connects various input / output devices via a flexible disk drive 1550 and, for example, a parallel port, a serial port, a keyboard port, a mouse port, and the like.

  A program executed by the CPU 1505 is stored in a recording medium such as the flexible disk 1590, the CD-ROM 1595, or an IC card and provided by the user. The program stored in the recording medium may be compressed or uncompressed. The program is installed in the hard disk drive 1540 from the recording medium, read into the RAM 1520, and executed by the CPU 1505.

  The program executed by the CPU 1505 includes the album creating apparatus 110, the feature information receiving unit 200, the template information storing unit 210, the template information selecting unit 215, the sample album storing unit 220, and the sample album selecting unit described with reference to FIGS. 225, a layout unit 230, a layout information generation unit 232, a layout information provision unit 234, a sample album presentation unit 240, an image reception unit 250, and an album creation unit 260. The program also causes the album orderer terminal 120 to function as the album creation unit 270, the reception unit 280, the display unit 282, the instruction input unit 284, and the image storage unit 290.

  The program shown above may be stored in an external storage medium. As the storage medium, in addition to the flexible disk 1590 and the CD-ROM 1595, an optical recording medium such as a DVD or PD, a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MD, a tape medium, a semiconductor memory such as an IC card, or the like can be used. In addition, a storage device such as a hard disk or a RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet is used as a recording medium, and a program is provided to the album creating device 110 or the album orderer terminal 120 via the network. Also good.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. Various modifications or improvements can be added to the above embodiment. It is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage environment of an album creation system 100. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a block configuration of an album creating system 100. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the feature information which the template information storage part 210 stores. It is a figure which shows an example of the arrangement information of the image which the template information storage part 210 stores. It is a figure which shows an example of the method of determining the arrangement | positioning of an image according to the direction component of an image. It is a figure which shows the example of extraction of the feature color from an image. It is a figure which shows the example of extraction of the feature color from an image. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an album creating apparatus 110 or an album orderer terminal 120. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

100 Album creation system 110 Album creation device 120 Album orderer terminal 130 Imaging device 150 Communication line 160 Media 180 Output device 190 Album orderer 200 Feature information receiving unit 210 Template information storage unit 215 Template information selection unit 220 Sample album storage unit 225 Sample Album selection unit 230 Layout unit 232 Layout information generation unit 234 Layout information provision unit 240 Sample album presentation unit 250 Image reception unit 260 Album creation unit 270 Album creation unit 280 Reception unit 282 Display unit 284 Instruction input unit 290 Image storage unit

Claims (13)

An album creation system for creating an album using images provided by an album orderer,
For each of the plurality of images, a feature information receiving unit that receives the feature information indicating the feature of the image and the image identification information for identifying the image,
A layout unit that lays out a plurality of images in the album based on the feature information of the plurality of images received by the feature information receiving unit;
A layout information generating unit that generates layout information in which each position of the plurality of images laid out by the layout unit is associated with image identification information of an image to be arranged at each position;
An album creating system comprising: a layout information providing unit that provides layout information generated by the layout information generating unit to an album orderer. According to the layout information provided by the layout information providing unit to the album orderer, an album is created by laying out the images identified by the image identification information indicated by the layout information at the positions of the plurality of images indicated by the layout information. The album creating system according to claim 1, further comprising an album creating unit. The layout unit lays out a plurality of images in the album with a plurality of different layouts based on the feature information of the plurality of images received by the feature information receiving unit,
The layout information generation unit generates a plurality of layout information for each of a plurality of layouts laid out by the layout unit,
The album creating system according to claim 1, wherein the layout information providing unit provides a plurality of layout information generated by the layout information generating unit to an album orderer. The image identified by the image identification information indicated by the layout information together with the layout identification information for identifying the layout information selected by the album orderer among the plurality of layout information provided to the album orderer by the layout information providing unit. An image receiving unit for receiving
The album creating system according to claim 3, further comprising: an album creating unit that generates an album by laying out the image received by the image receiving unit according to the layout information identified by the layout identification information received by the image receiving unit. . A template information storage unit for storing a plurality of template information in which a position where each of the plurality of images is to be arranged and feature information to be arranged at the position is predetermined;
A template information selection unit that selects, from a plurality of template information stored in the template information storage unit, template information that matches the feature information of the plurality of images received by the feature information reception unit;
The layout unit lays out a plurality of images in an album based on respective positions of a plurality of images defined by template information selected by the template information selection unit and feature information to be arranged at the positions. 1. The album creation system according to 1. Corresponding to a plurality of template information stored in the template information storage unit, a feature indicated by feature information to be arranged at the position at each position of a plurality of images defined by the template information. A sample album storage unit for storing a plurality of sample albums in which sample images are arranged;
A sample album selection unit for selecting a sample album stored in the sample album storage unit in association with the template information selected by the template information selection unit;
A sample album presenting unit that allows the album orderer to select the layout information generated by the layout information providing unit by causing the album orderer to browse the sample album selected by the sample album selecting unit,
According to the layout information selected by the album orderer from the sample album presenter, an album is created by laying out the images identified by the image identification information indicated by the layout information at the positions of the plurality of images indicated by the layout information. The album creation system according to claim 5, further comprising an album creation unit. The album orderer terminal extracts feature information from the image provided by the album orderer,
The album creating system according to claim 1, wherein the feature information receiving unit receives feature information extracted by the album orderer terminal from the album orderer terminal via a communication line. The album creating system according to claim 1, wherein the feature information receiving unit receives feature information read from a medium in which feature information is recorded in association with an image. The album orderer terminal reads the feature information from the media in which the feature information is recorded in association with the image,
The album creating system according to claim 8, wherein the feature information receiving unit receives the feature information read by the album orderer terminal from the album orderer terminal via a communication line. The feature information receiving unit receives, for each of a plurality of images, feature information indicating a feature color included in the image and image identification information for identifying the image in association with each other,
The album creating system according to claim 1, wherein the layout unit lays out a plurality of images in the album based on a feature color included in an image received by the feature information receiving unit. The feature information receiving unit receives, in association with each of a plurality of images, feature information indicating a face direction of a person included in the image and image identification information for identifying the image,
The album creating system according to claim 1, wherein the layout unit lays out a plurality of images in the album based on a face orientation of a person included in the image received by the feature information receiving unit. An album creation method for creating an album using images provided by an album orderer,
For each of the plurality of images, a feature information receiving step for receiving the feature information indicating the feature of the image in association with the image identification information for identifying the image;
A layout step of laying out a plurality of images in the album based on the feature information of the plurality of images received in the feature information reception step;
A layout information generating step for generating layout information in which each position of the plurality of images laid out in the layout step is associated with image identification information of an image to be arranged at each position;
An album creating method comprising: a layout information providing step of providing the layout information generated in the layout information generating step to an album orderer. A program for an album creating system for creating an album using images provided by an album orderer, the album creating system comprising:
For each of the plurality of images, a feature information receiving unit that receives the feature information indicating the feature of the image and the image identification information for identifying the image in association with each other,
A layout unit that lays out a plurality of images in an album based on feature information of the plurality of images received by the feature information receiving unit;
A layout information generating unit that generates layout information in which each position of the plurality of images laid out by the layout unit is associated with image identification information of an image to be arranged at each position;
A program that causes the layout information generated by the layout information generating unit to function as a layout information providing unit that provides the album orderer.

Images